Havel and Demartino, Essay Example

According to Václav Havel, modern civilization is characterized by loss, and this has caused a crisis in our time. Identify in a general way the loss and the crisis.

Vaclav Havel refers to the spiritual condition of modern civilization and the loss of certain metaphysical certainties. In this context he is referring to the advancement of science and technology and our turning away from religious values and belief in God. He sees this as a type of arrogance of man who is convinced by the depth of his knowledge and the ability to control all in his domain. He sees mankind in the middle of the first atheistic civilization. Havel sees this as a loss because man is placing himself on the highest scale of evolution and in doing so loses his sense of proportion and the place of humanity in the overall scheme of things. It is this sense of supreme arrogance that creates a crisis in our time. The crisis is one of human consciousness and our false sense of realization. He evidences this by the escalating sense of tension and conflict that is manifesting itself in our world today.

Havel however has not written off mankind but senses cause for hope if we come to terms with our changes in human consciousness and make corrective actions for the betterment of humanity. He believes the starting point is acceptance of the situation and reflecting upon the conditions of the crisis. From this point we can examine the changes needed and move towards a path of corrective action. Man has now reached a stage where he must take responsibility for his actions and come to his senses in determination of the future. (Havel)

 Havel calls for a change in human consciousness. Describe the change needed.

Havel believes that man needs to find a change in his consciousness that will reflect both moral and spiritual changes. He needs to develop a more moral dimension in his dealing with other cultures and people and rediscover God in the sense of a greater force in the order of the Universe. Man needs to remove himself from a sense of hopelessness as a mere cog in a giant wheel and rediscover his sense of purpose and responsibility from more of a spiritual context as opposed to that of the materialistic world. The recognition that science does not provide all of the answers. The need to examine the sense of order imposed by nature and by example how mankind fits into this balance of order within the context of the Universe. It is a sort of spiritual renewal that is required. Such changes will not come about by the intervention of a deity or the visitation of a Messiah but only by acceptance of human responsibility and our respect for the planet and our environment. The world is going through a period of tremendous transition influenced by mankind. Man will continue to influence this change for the better or worse but we will be held directly responsible and accountable for our actions. This may either enhance our future prospects or see the extinction of humans as a species on this planet. (Havel).

Neo-classical economic theory argues that free market economy is the best way to advance “the collective interest of society as a whole” (DeMartino, p. 4-5). Summarize the argument.

In neo-classical economic theory the market is the mechanism that facilitates society to organize the production and distribution of goods and services. This takes place regardless of the magnitude or scale of complexity of the business. Equally it allows the allocation of scare resources to be spread to those areas where they will achieve the greatest rates of production. Further, the market functions allowing the individual the optimum amount of freedom from interference or hindrance of others. This allows an individual to aspire towards greatness and fulfil their ambitions. It is the neo-classical view that improves the different apportionment of shares in the social output.

DeMartino paints rather a dismal picture of the human race and states that neo-classical theory is founded upon the unattractive side of human nature. That is to say man is mainly concerned with taking those actions that advances his own personal interests of wealth and power as opposed to looking at how he might help and influence the broader good for mankind. Hence we live in a world of intelligent people that are concerned with the pursuit of their own self-interests somewhat described as a hedonistic society. A rather sad indictment of our times but one which may well become our undoing without a change in perspectives.

The contemporary neo-classical view considers that it is the egotistical impulses of man that form the main characteristics and traits of behaviour in the market place. The concept of the drive to maximise personal benefit often at the expense of others. The market essentially supports this stance and provides a vehicle for self-serving individuals and essentially the fuel for a capitalistic society. (DeMartino)

Václav Havel says that economic theory, whether socialist or capitalist, cannot solve the crisis of our time. Why not?

Havel says that pure economic theory cannot solve the crisis of our time. He emphasises the wider scale of the problem from both a sociological and spiritual context. He stresses that the command control systems of both central and nationalised economies all have disastrous consequences on relationships and only tend to create a wider abyss between man and the economic woes of the time. Havel is more in favour of decentralised economic systems that create more self-autonomy and improved decision making. Hence the forming of small scale businesses that serves local communities and is more socially oriented as opposed to the self-serving interests of large businesses and the corporate shareholders who are only interested in wealth creation and personal gain.

Havel emphasises that only these important changes will come about by a change in human consciousness and direction that serves the interest of society as a whole and not merely those self-serving investors of large Corporations. It has long been the socialist argument that capitalism is not self-sustaining as an economic function over the long term. Perhaps this is now being put to the test in terms of having to function in the wider global context as opposed to serving the needs of single nations. The current situation on the financial situation in Europe in a free market economy condition may well prove to be the point where economic theory alone cannot rescue the situation. (Havel)

Works Cited

DeMartino, George. Global Economy, Global Justice. New York: Routledge, 2000.

Havel, Vaclev. Disturbing the Peace. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1990.